Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon (1984)

About this wine

The 1984 Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars presents a deep plum-purple color, indicating its concentration. The nose is rich and intense, offering aromas of fruitcake, chocolate, cedar, herbs, hickory smoke, soy, and cassis. On the palate, this full-bodied wine is expansive and supple, with a silky texture that showcases exceptional finesse and succulence. Crafted in the classic Cask 23 style, it delivers a thrilling, velvety, and complex experience. This vintage reflects the winery's commitment to producing wines of extraordinary depth and richness.

About the grape

Cabernet Sauvignon, a grape that emerged in 17th-century France from a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, is renowned for its thick skins and resilience, making it a favorite among vintners. In Napa Valley, this varietal found an ideal environment, particularly in the Stags Leap District, where the unique combination of volcanic and alluvial soils enhances the grape's complexity. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, established in 1970, gained international acclaim when its 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon won the 1976 Judgment of Paris, a blind tasting that placed California wines ahead of esteemed French counterparts. The 1984 Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon continues this legacy, blending select grapes from the S.L.V. and FAY vineyards to create a wine that reflects the rich history and distinctive terroir of the region.

Quick facts

• 🍷 The 1984 Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars is renowned for its rich, complex flavors, including notes of fruitcake, chocolate, cedar, herbs, hickory smoke, soy, and cassis.
• 🏆 This vintage received a 94-point rating from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, highlighting its full-bodied, expansive, and supple character.
• 🛢️ The Cask 23 series began in 1974 when a particular lot from the S.L.V. vineyard was deemed exceptional and aged in a cask numbered 23, leading to the wine's distinctive name.
• 🌍 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars gained international fame when its 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon won the 1976 Judgment of Paris, a blind tasting that put California wines on the global map.
• ☀️ The 1984 vintage was produced during a year with an early harvest due to warm summer days, resulting in grapes that underwent a normal evolution on the vine, contributing to the wine's exceptional quality.

Palate profile

Producer

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, founded in 1970 by Warren Winiarski in Napa Valley, California, gained international acclaim when its 1973 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon won the 1976 Judgment of Paris, surpassing esteemed French wines. This victory was pivotal in establishing Napa Valley as a premier wine region. The winery's estate includes the S.L.V. and FAY vineyards, with the latter being the first Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard planted in the Stags Leap District. In 2007, the winery was acquired by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Marchesi Antinori, continuing its legacy of producing world-class wines.